Pep Guardiola has urged Raheem Sterling to study Lionel Messi after telling the England star that his dramatic improvement this season must be just the beginning.

Sterling has been key in Manchester City’s march to the Premier League title, scoring 24 goals and with 12 assists in all competitions.

Guardiola believes the 23-year-old’s numbers would have been even better had Sterling not had his ­reputation sullied by Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger’s claim last November that he is a diver.

But Guardiola is adamant that Sterling will keep on getting ­better if he learns from the Argentine genius, who the City boss helped to nurture at Barcelona.

Guardiola wants Sterling's terrific 2017-18 season to be just the starting point (Image: Offside/Getty)

“Raheem has had a fantastic season and, hopefully he can maintain it for England at the World Cup," he said. “I like the fact that I also have this feeling that he can do better.

“He has made a good step forward, but football next season starts again from zero. We will see if he is ready to maintain that level. I think he can do it.”

Wenger branded Sterling a cheat when the England winger won a penalty in City’s 3-1 victory over ­Arsenal in November.

Etihad chiefs were ­disappointed that the FA failed to charge the Gunners boss over his remarks – and Guardiola believes that Sterling has ­suffered as a consequence.

At Barcelona, Guardiola helped Messi blossom into one of the global game's greats (Image: Getty)

Last week, in the 4-1 victory at West Ham, the former Liverpool forward was denied a stonewall penalty.

And Guardiola feels that a ­similar decision in the Champions League quarter-final clash with ­Sterling’s old club ­Liverpool at Anfield was the key to City’s exit.

Now the Catalan has told Sterling he must take a leaf out of Messi’s book.

Guardiola said: “People talk too much and say Raheem is diving. People start to talk about that and then people start to believe that. He is a guy who is quite honest. He is smart, intelligent and he is not a guy who kicks the opponent.

Aaron Cresswell flies in on Sterling last Sunday... (Image: Getty)

...his attempt to block the winger's shot leading to contact... (Image: Getty)

...that left both men on the ground in West Ham's penalty area... (Image: Getty)

...but ref Neil Swarbrick did not see it as a penalty to City (Image: AFP/Getty)

“I learned from the best player in history [Messi]. He never ­complained on the pitch. Top players get kicked, so they stand up and go again – and Raheem has to learn from that.

“Raheem is a guy that is so fast. He’s quicker than the other ones and he’s smarter than the other ones. But he is not a guy who ­always goes down. He is honest, and an exceptional guy.”

City will be presented with the Premier League trophy at the Etihad on Sunday, and only need to score twice against visitors Huddersfield to beat ­Chelsea’s record of 103 goals in a Premier League season.